Signal device



J. M. MELE.

SIGNAL DEVICE.

APPLICATION r|LED Nov; 28. 1921.

1,428,045. PatentedSept. 5, 1922.

Inman for Patented Sept. 5, 1922.,

AYES tlf' Jenn ivi. run-LE, or nasce nnvniv, coivivncrrour.

SIGNAL DEVCE.

Application liled November 28, 1921.. Serial No. 515,293.

vices, of which the following is a specifica-i tion, reference being had thereinto the ac* companying drawings.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in signal devices and it is the principal object of the invention to provide a device of this character which may be attached to a motor vehicle for* the purpose of conveniently displaying a light as is provided by statute and in addition thereto a stop signal, which latter may be automatically operated from a portion ofthe motor vehicle that must be set in motion to bring about this result.

Among other aims and objects of the invention, may be recited the provision of a device of the character mentioned with a view to compaetness, and in which the number of parts are few, the construction simple, the cost of production small, and efficiency and operation high. y

The improvements in the details and arrangement of parts will be apparent from inspection of the accompanying drawings in connection with the description hereinafter contained and wherein a preferred embodiment of the invention is disclosed for the purpose of imparting an understanding of the same.

ln the drawings;

Figure 1 is anelevation of my improved signal device with the parts in such relative position that the word Stop is displayed;

Figure 2 is an underside view thereof;

Figure 3 is an end view;

Figure l is a transverse sectional view thereof, taken generally upon line 4r-4 of Figure 1; and

Figure 5 is a detailed view of the mechanism for rotating the display case.

Having more particular reference to the drawings and in connection with which like reference characters refer to corresponding parts, l0 designates the body member which in crosssection is cylindrical in form with an opening 11 through one side thereof, the opposite ends thereof being closed by the caps 12 and 13 which are preferably secured thereto in any convenient manner, the means herein shown being screws 14.

Secured to the body member 10 is abraclret 15 having a screw 16 therein by which the device is secured to a lined part of the motor vehicle. n

Upon one side of the body member the metal Vthereof is turned outwardly to form the plates 1? to provide means whereby the number plate if desired may be conveniently' attached thereto.

lll/vithin the body member 1() is rotatably mounted the display case 18 which is shown herein as substantially rectangular in form with an o ienino' 19 in one side thereof which a:

is covered upon the inside by a plate 20 either of glass or other transparent `substance, and to the side 21 thereof are a plurality of openings 22 shown herein in the form of letters, which produce the word Stop,`covered upon the inside by the plate 23, either ofglass or other transparent materiah l lin practice, the plate 20 will be usually red in color while the plate 23 will be usually white so that when the opening 19 is in register with the opening 11 a red light will s rlisplayed, this being the tail light required by the statute, and when the face 2l is in register with the opening 11, the word Stoa is displayed in white letters. 4

lhisfdisplay ease 18 isksupported at one end by the stud that passes through the cap 12 and the stop collar 25 fixed to the end of the display case 18 and having a nut 26 threaded upon the inner end. The other end is supported upon a collar 27 which may either be integral with the cap 13 or separate therefrom and secured thereto either by soldering or other convenient means.

rlhreaded within the collar 27 is a bushing 28, having a socket 29 projecting therefrom on the inside thereof, and a similar socket 30 upon the outside. ln the socket 29 is se-r plug similarly secured and with which the wires 3st are connected, and through which the current to operate the lamp is transmitted.

The lamp 31 is readily removed by disengaging the plug 33 from the socket 30 so that the wires Se are not twisted and then unscrew the bushing 28.

Connected with the outer end of the stud 24 is a crank arm 35 to which a wire 36 is connected, the other end thereof being secured to the foot brake 3T that is actuated by the operator of the motor vehicle when it is brought to a full stop.

A spring 38 held against rotation at one end by a stud or screiv 39 fixed in the cap 1Q, and at the other end in the stop collar 25, provides convenient ineans for rotating the display case in one direction. The shoulders l0 and 4-1 on the stop collar 25 engage the iixedpin L12 and thus limits the movement of the display case 1S in both directions. This spring and stop collar and the co-operating mechanism, are so arranged that when the car is in operation, the opening 19 displaying the red tail light is in line with the opening' 11 in the body member 10. l/Vhen the foot brake 87 is operated, the display case 18 is rotated against the tension of the spring 3S by the pull of the Wire 36 and the face 21 thereof is moved into line with the opening 11 whereby the Werd Stop is displayed therethrough.

its soon as pressure upon the foot brake 3T is released, the spring 38 again rotates the display case and the opening 19 is again in register with the opening v11.

For the purpose of gaining access to the interior of the display case 18 When the plates 2O and 23 are in position as to facilitate the assembling of the saine, I provide an opening 43 in one of the sides of the casing that is never brought into register With the opening 11.

With this device a tail light is provided and Whenever the car is brought to a stop through manipulation of the foot brake, the Word Stop is automatically displayed.

Minor changes and alterations may he made Within my invention, aside freni those herein suggested, and l would therefore have it understood that l do not limit myself to the exact construction herein shown and described, but claim all that falls* fairly Within the spirit and scope of the appended claim.

YV hat claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

ln mechanism of the character described; a case substantially cylindrical in cross-section, open at both ends and one side; a cap at each end of said case separably secured thereto and forming a closure therefor, one of said caps having a laterally projecting collar near the center thereof; a display case 'Within the aforesaid case having openings therethrough upon tivo sides thereof and j ournaled at one end upon said collar, a stop collar connected with the opposite end of said display case; means for supporting said case at the collar end that projects therethrough and through one of the said caps; a transparent plate covering` each of the openings in said display case, one of said plates having 'letters or figures thereon; a socket threaded into the said collar upon said cap having a part thereon projecting into the display case and another part projecting outside of said collar; a lamp adjustably connected with that portion of the socket Within said display case; a plug adjnstably connected With that portion of the socket outside of said cap; a spring fixed to said stop collar at one end and to a part fixed in the adjacent Cap at the other end; and a fixed part in said latter cap projecting into the path 0f movement of said stop collar and when engaged by stop shoulders thereon, said display case is limited in its movement in botlr directions.

in testimony whereof, l have hereunto affixed my signature.

JOHN M. MELE. 

